Latin American flare fueling World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Latin Americans are cheering for each other at the World Cup. But that camaraderie will disappear in a few days when the knockout games arrive. For now, there’s Latin fusion.

Brazilian Samba is drowned out by Mexican Mariachi or by Cumbias from Colombia. Mexicans roam around in giant, drooping sombreros. Argentines wear masks depicting Maradona, Lionel Messi or Pope Francis. Uruguayans lug around thermos bottles of hot water for their famous herbal tea, called mate.

Latin Americans have felt at home in Brazil, and the results show.

Four have already clinched a spot in the knockout stage — Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Costa Rica. And four more have a chance to make the final 16: Uruguay, Mexico, Ecuador and host Brazil.

Fans from neighboring countries have swarmed into Brazil — in buses, vans, and at least one on a bicycle all the way from Mexico.

About 50,000 Argentines were encamped in Rio, and the Argentine embassy expects 100,000 for the final group match vs. Nigeria on Wednesday in Porto Alegre.

Fans have hugged, drank, danced in costumes and belted out a cappella renditions of national anthems at the kickoff. Stadiums have been deafening, driven partly by passionate Latinos.

“The influx of Latin American supporters is above our expectations,” said Roberto Alzir, a top Rio de Janeiro state security official in charge of policing the World Cup.

There have also been a few ugly street scenes, one with Brazilians and Argentines in Belo Horizonte hurling beer bottles and insults at each other. In Rio, about 100 Chileans fans rampaged through the Maracana media area, and at least 10 Argentine fans were detained after jumping fences at the famous stadium to see their team play Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Unless they are playing against another Latin team, everyone seems to be cheering for neighbors.

“This is a cup where we want the South American continent to win,” Ecuadoran fan Roger Recalde said.

The charity may end when the knockout round starts Saturday.

Mexico or Brazil could face Chile. Colombia could get Uruguay or Costa Rica. Argentina might play Ecuador.

All previous six World Cups held in Latin America have been won by Latin Americans.

Many Argentines say, if eliminated, they would root for any Latin American team, except Chile, which sided with Britain during the 1982 Falklands War.

Other Latin Americans are willing to cheer for others — but not Argentina.